Videos games SHOULD NOT be difficult... (It hurts the Video Game)

[binary solo]

Nem said:

binary solo said:

Why? Challenging is not the only thing a video game can aspire to be, and these days may no longer even be the main thing. There is a much broader range of experience that can be had from video games than when they first appeared. If a video game aspires to someting other than a gameplay challenge then gameplay challenge may detract from the main purpose of the game. A video game should aspire to be an enjoyable experience for people who are interested in whatever the game is trying to do. Whether that's challenging gameplay or immersive experience or something else doesn't matter. The size of the audience you attract for a video game will be largely determined by what elements the developer focusses on as the main source of enjoyment. 

I think it's a really bad idea to suggest any sort of formula or standard method for how a game should or shouldn't be challenging. some people want a really tough experience, others want a largely stress free time with their games. All preferences should be catered to.

Why is immersive something that exists without gameplay? Sounds like a movie to me.

Are you talking about those games that you just traverse and see what happens? I dont know. I am hard pressed to classify them as games when gameplay isnt the focus.

You want to give an example? I'm not sure what you mean.

This just suggests you have a very narrow and outdated understanding of what is a video game. I really can't stand the criticism of a game as being an interactive movie. It's such an elitist point of view. You don;t like that kind of thing, fine, but don't go around saying it's not a video game as if people who like those games aren't "real gamers". And sure, walking simulators, done right, are a very good example of games that are not difficult and do not have a focus on gameplay that are very good and very enjoyable for people who like that style of game. Point and click adventures have been around for a long time there's not much gameplay involved there. Mouse click games can be very engaging, and there are even games like Clicker Heroes where you actually progress faster by not clicking.

You don't have to like any of these games, but you should broaden your mind to accept these sorts of games as games. Perhaps "game" now has too narrow a meaning for this industry now. Really video games in their broadest sense are now digital interactive experiences, and games are just a subset of that. We're part of that broader set of experiences and if some of us prefer the classical games that's just as fine as people who prefer some of the different styles that do not apply the classical models of gaming.